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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 03-25 PCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA STUDY SESSION MARCH 25, 2004 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Willson at 7:31 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Tim Willson, Commissioners Stephen Erdmann, Rex Newman, Sean Rahn, Dianne Reem, and Tim Roche were present. Also present were Secretary to the Planning Commission/Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren, Community Development Director Brad Hoffinan, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Rebecca Crass. Graydon Boeck was absent and excused. ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE Mr. Warren administered the Oath of Office to Tim Roche. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — JANUARY 15, 2004 There was a motion by Commissioner Newman, seconded by Commissioner Erdmann, to approve the minutes of the January 15, 2004, meeting as submitted. The motion passed. Commissioner Roche abstained as he was not present at the meeting. CHAIR'S EXPLANATION Chair Willson explained the Planning Commission's role as an advisory body. One of the Commission's functions is to hold public hearings. In the matters concerned in these hearings, the Commission makes recommendations to the City Council. The City Council makes all final decisions in these matters. APPLICATION NO. 2002-006 — STEVE LEWIS (HERTZ) Chair Willson introduced Application No. 2004 -006, submitted by Steve Lewis, a request for special use permit approval to operate an automobile rental and leasing operation with out of door storage of vehicles at 6201 Brooklyn Boulevard. Mr. Warren presented the staff report describing the location of the property and the proposal. (See Planning Commission Information Sheet dated 3 -25 -04 for Application No. 2004 -006, attached.) The property is zoned C -2 (Commerce) and automobile rental and leasing operations are listed as special uses in the C -2 zoning district. Commissioner Newman inquired if the Enterprise Rent A Car service located in the general area had the same requirements for a special use permit and landscape requirements. Mr. Warren responded that they did go through a similar process several years ago. 3 -25 -04 Page 1 Commissioner Erdmann asked if curb and gutter would be required along the Brooklyn Boulevard green strip. Mr. Warren responded that typically the City has not required curb and gutter improvements for an application such as this one but rather is a requirement as part of a development plan or significant modification to the parking lot. Commissioner Rahn inquired if the current landscape requirements had been on the site in the past. Mr. Warren explained that it is a method currently used to evaluate landscape requirements on a site when certain improvements /changes in use are proposed and such requirements were not enforced at the time the original building was constructed which was about 40 years ago. PUBLIC HEARING — APPLICATION NO. 2004 -006 There was a motion by Commissioner Newman, seconded by Commissioner Rahn, to open the public hearing on Application No. 2004 -006, at 8:05 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Willson called for comments from the public. Mr. Steve Lewis, Hertz Corporation, asked for questions from the Commissioners. Chair Willson asked the applicant to explain his landscape plan. Mr. Lewis responded that there was some confusion on his part with the landscape requirements and he is working with the landlord/owner of the building to come to an agreement as to who will be responsible for additional landscaping. Mr. Steve Lampi, stated that he is the owner of 6201 Brooklyn Boulevard. He added that he has been making improvements to the property and pointed out existing landscaping and asked for consideration by the Commission in lowering the requirements for landscaping. Mr. Warren explained that at the time the application was accepted, the landscape plan was incomplete, however, he felt that the necessary information would be forthcoming and meet landscape requirements. He stated that it might be appropriate to waive the percentage of types of landscaping required but not the number of points required. Also, the applicant would be given credit for any existing landscaping. Commissioner Rahn stated that he agrees wholly with the landscape requirements for this site and nothing less than the recommended 101 points should be accepted. Commissioner Erdmann suggested modifying some of the allowable percentage of shrubs and trees which might make it easier to meet the Landscape Point System requirements. Commissioner Willson stressed the importance of being consistent with all applicants and not setting a precedent by allowing changes to the Landscape Point System requirements. I Commissioner Rahn stated that a landscape plan should be presented to the Commission for review before allowing changes to the percentage requirements. Commissioner Newman inquired about the use and lighting of the canopy. Mr. Lewis stated that since the canopy is there, they would use the area for parking only. 3 -25 -04 Page 2 Commissioner Reem asked about signs on the site and also questioned what kind of screening of the dumpster area had been proposed. Mr. Warren responded that the dumpster screening plan was omitted from the plan submitted but should contain an opaque screening device of sufficient height to block the view of the trash containers. Mr. Lewis stated there are signs planned and he will contact city staff for approvals on all signs. No other persons from the public appeared before the Commission during the public hearing on Application No. 2004 -006. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING There was a motion by Commissioner Newman., seconded by Commissioner Reem, to close the public hearing on Application No. 2004 -006, at 8:23 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. The Chair called for further discussion or questions from the Commissioners. The Commissioners interposed no objections to approval of the Application. ACTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO. 2004-006 — STEVE LEWIS (HERTZ) There was a motion by Commissioner Newman, seconded by Commissioner Rahn, to recommend to the City Council that it approve Application No. 2004 -006, submitted by Steve Lewis of Hertz for a Special Use Permit to operate an automobile rental and leasing operation with out of door storage of vehicles at 6201 Brooklyn Boulevard subject to the following conditions: 1. The Special Use Permit is granted for an automobile rental and leasing operation with incidental outdoor storage of vehicles and a washing and vacuuming service bay only. Any change in the use of the operation not comprehended by this application or permitted under the zoning ordinance will require approval of an amendment to this special use permit. 2. Building plans for tenant remodeling and an overhead door shall be reviewed and approval by the Building Official prior to the issuance of building permits. 3. There shall be no service, repair or maintenance of leased of stored vehicles on the site other than the washing and vacuuming of vehicles comprehended under the approval of this Special Use Permit. 4. No banners, pennants, streamers, balloons or other attention attracting devices may be used in conjunction with the storage and display of vehicles on this site other than that which is authorized under administrative permits. 5. The site shall be provided with 101 landscape points consistent with the city's Landscape Point System. A landscape plan indicating such compliance shall be submitted prior to the issuance of the Special Use Permit for this auto rental and leasing operation. 3 -25 -04 Page 3 6. All outside trash facilities shall be completely screened from view using appropriate opaque materials. An appropriate plan shall be submitted prior to the issuance of the Special Use Permit for this auto rental and leasing operation. 7. A site performance agreement and a supporting financial guarantee (based on cost estimates) shall be submitted prior to the issuance of the Special Use Permit to assure the completion of the required site improvements. 8. The Special Use Permit is subject to all applicable codes, ordinances and regulations. Any violation thereof may be grounds for revocation. Voting in favor: Chair Willson, Commissioners Erdmann, Newman, Rahn, Reem and Roche. The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the application at its April 12, 2004 meeting. The applicant must be present. Major changes to the application as reviewed by the Planning Commission will require that the application be returned to the Commission for reconsideration. STUDY ITEM: MORATORIUM ON CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS USES IN COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ZONES Mr. Warren described the area where a moratorium on church and religious uses has been established. Following adoption of an ordinance by the City Council, this matter is now being referred to the Planning Commission for study and recommendations. Mr. Warren further explained the newly established Central Commerce Overlay District and pointed out the limitations on uses in this area. The moratorium is set to expire in June 2004. The expectation is to expand the central commerce overlay district to include all of the uses that could be comprehended in the expanded commercial area. The identified area would be excluded from church and religious uses. Brad Hoffman, Community Development Director, explained that the Metropolitan Council has defined this area as part of the Opportunity Site/Livable Communities Site and involves the "shifting" of retail to the south of the Opportunity Site and reserving the north side of the site as more of a town center concept with a mix of housing and retail. He explained that this moratorium and study came about after several inquiries from church/religious groups regarding purchasing core retail buildings in this area and developing them for church uses, which could have a profound impact upon the City's ability to redevelop this area. A discussion followed regarding the affected area and the Commissioners voiced their opinions on the moratorium and proposed zoning change as well as the lack of mixed housing as an allowable use in this area. Mr. Warren explained the Planning Commission's role in establishing a draft ordinance amendment regarding allowable uses in the CC Central Commerce Overlay District. 3 -25 -04 Page 4 Commissioner Newman suggested simplifying the zoning of this area by eliminating an underlying zoning designation within the CC Central Commerce District and creating a new zoning designation for this area. Mr. Warren commented that this entire area would have the same zoning designation of CC Central Commerce District. Chair Willson recommended adoption of the ordinance with the addition of transportation centers as an allowable use. ACTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 35 REGARDING ALLOWABLE USES IN THE CC CENTRAL COMMERCE DISTRICT There was a motion by Commissioner Erdmann, seconded by Commissioner Roche, to recommend approval of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 35 Regarding Allowable Uses in the CC Central Commerce District to include modifications discussed. The motion passed unanimously. Voting in favor: Chair Willson, Commissioners, Erdmann, Newman, Rahn, Reem, and Roche. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Warren explained that the application submitted by the Osseo School District is still on hold. There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Newman, seconded by Commissioner Rahn, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M. Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Rebecca Crass 3 -25 -04 Page 5 I